Cyclocross - Building a Cyclocross from a 97 Schwinn Comfort MTB

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HDavidH
06-21-06, 12:55 PM
I have an almost new 1997 Schwinn Sierra "Comfort" mtb. A stereo-typical purchase I made back in 97' when I was still a 2.5 pack a day smoker thinking I was going to ride it... It now stands clamped to my trainer as my permanent training mount.
I want to get a cyclocross or build one. Money is tight after all the other purchases so I was looking for some feedback on building one up from this cromo frame.
Great sturdy frame. Mine is the older model with the rigid front fork, linear V-brakes that will stop you dead in your tracks wet or dry. Here is a pic of the modern version:

http://www.schwinnbike.com/images/catalog/r_0.58.S6_SIERRASPORT_BLUE_M.jpg

What are your thoughts on starting from this frame and building one up please?

Thanks to all.

ApolloCVermouth
06-21-06, 03:33 PM
A 20$ garage sale 10 speed will give you a much better platform to build off of than this. esp if you find one with canti-bosses
Disadvantages of this frame include:
sloping top tube
26 inch wheels
adjustable stem incompatible with drop bars
need to buy 50$ levers to accommodate v-brakes+ as well as finding some way to shift off a drop bar (there are a few)- not to mention the problems you will have if you try to go with STI
.... and on and on

There are a number of things you could to make this entry level comfort bike 'fast' if that's what you are looking for but you really couldn't find a bike that's further from a 'cross bike (a beach cruiser maybe?)
that said there are a few examples around the 'net of people building 26 inch cross bikes (frankencross?) out of MTBs. Takes a bit of work though.
cyclodan
06-22-06, 09:07 AM
Hi David,
The guys over at the MMBA board weren't convincing enough?
I guess I'll ask what do you really mean by "cyclocross"? If you are talking about cyclocross racing then your bike is about as far from what you need as you can get. If you mean "cross-bike" as in mixed duty. road, light trail work, well you might improve what you have for that purpose. Apollo there pretty much said it all.